One of New York's oldest homes preserves centuries of history in the heart of Queens
FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) -- Surrounded today by busy streets, apartment buildings and city life, the Bowne House stands as one of New York City's oldest surviving homes - and one of its most important pieces of American history.
Built in 1661, the home transports visitors back more than 360 years with its original wooden beams, wide-plank floors, massive fireplaces and unique artifacts, including a beehive oven, an antique mustache cup and even a crutch said to have been used to kill a bear.
"That over there is a mustache cup," laughed Bowne House educator Emily Vieyra-Haley during a tour. "To keep your mustache clean!"
The home originally sat on what was once a 300-acre farm, a far cry from the densely populated neighborhood that surrounds it today.
"This is what was built in 1661," Vieyra-Haley said. "We have original floorboards, ceiling beams, and we even have a cutout on the wall so you can see the materials they used - clay, mud, horse hair, and marsh grass."
Many of the home's original features remain remarkably intact, offering visitors a rare look at colonial construction techniques.
The Bowne House also played a significant role during the Revolutionary War.
"This enormous fireplace was much too big for one family," Vieyra-Haley explained. "It was constructed under duress during the Revolutionary War."
Parts of the British Army occupied the property during the conflict, leaving their mark on the historic home.
But perhaps the Bowne House's greatest legacy came years later.
The Quaker family who lived there became known for their commitment to equality and justice, and the home eventually served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, sheltering people escaping slavery.
"He concealed a freedom seeker in his cellar and stable," said Bowne House archivist Charlotte Jackson.
Visitors can even read historic letters documenting the danger involved in protecting those seeking freedom.
"This is a strong case and great care and caution is required," one letter warns, underscoring the risks taken by those who chose to help.
Eight generations of the Bowne family lived in the house over the centuries. One generation alone included 16 children, a reminder of how the home remained a bustling family residence long before the United States was founded.
More than a century before America declared its independence, the Bowne House was already laying the foundation for values that would become central to the nation's identity: religious freedom, courage, and the pursuit of liberty.
Today, the historic home continues welcoming visitors, preserving those stories for future generations in the heart of Queens.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
